Apple Quietly Discontinues Cards App, Service No Longer Available

As with any Apple media event, there were plenty of little changes that didn't get attention from company executives on stage in Cupertino, like the company's Cards app and service getting the axe.

A FAQ web page published Tuesday confirms that Apple has quietly discontinued Cards, the company's free app and companion service for creating letterpress cards and having them delivered for one low price.

"As of September 10, 2013, the Cards iOS app service is no longer available," the brief Frequently Asked Questions page explains. "Cards ordered before 1 PM Pacific time on September 10, 2013, will be delivered, and push notifications will continue to work. You can view your previous purchases by tapping Saved Cards in the app."

Cards debuted nearly two years ago as a way to send custom letterpress cards for almost any occasion to up to 12 recipients for only $2.99 (U.S.) or $4.99 (international), eventually getting a version 2.0 bump with native iPad support last year.

Apple recommends iPhoto on the Mac as an alternative way to create "beautiful letterpress cards customized with your photos," but notes that they are shipped via carriers like FedEx instead of the U.S. Post Office.